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How to Treat a Dental Abscess

Thursday, June 16th, 2016

The collection of pus within the gums or teeth due to bacterial infection is called a dental abscess. The bacterium is generally found in the plaque and damages the gums, teeth and soft tissue within the tooth. Dental abscess can only be cured by dental treatment and a dentist is best equipped to deal with them. In some advanced cases, the dentist may also need to perform surgery.

Dental procedures

If the abscess is periapical, then you’ll require root canal treatment to get rid of the abscess. In this procedure, the dentist drills into the lifeless tooth in order to let the pus loose and remove infected tissue. Once the area is thoroughly cleaned, a root filling is inserted to avoid any future infection.

If the abscess is periodontal, after the dentist releases the pus and has cleaned the periodontal pocket, he or she will smooth the surface of tooth’s root by scaling and filling beneath the gum line to facilitate complete healing. This will help prevent any future infection.

Surgery

In certain cases where the periapical abscess recurs, an oral surgeon will be required to remove the infected tissue. In the case of periodontal abscess the oral surgeon will reshape the gum tissue in order to remove the periodontal pocket permanently.

In very rare cases, the abscess can show up even after both dental and surgical procedures. In cases like this, or where the tooth is severely broken, the tooth will be completely extracted.

Painkillers

There is no doubt that dental abscesses are very painful. Over the counter painkillers from a local pharmacy can be used to get some relief however, they should only be used for temporary relief while you are waiting for proper dental treatment. Also, do not overuse the painkillers and always follow the prescription mentioned on the cover. Painkillers will just reduce the pain and cannot get rid of the abscess or the infected tissues and should never be used as an alternative to proper dental treatment.

Tags: Abscess Leeds, Abscess treatment, Leeds Dentist Tooth Abscess, tooth abscess leeds dentist
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Wave Goodbye to Wisdom Tooth Woes

Tuesday, May 24th, 2016

After your milk teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, wisdom teeth usually start to develop. Wisdom teeth may once have been particularly useful to us. Now the need for wisdom teeth is almost obsolete due to the evolution of our diets.

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, generally grow at the back ends of our jaws or dental arch. Depending on how wisdom teeth develop, they may grow normally or cause orthodontic problems. Wisdom teeth issues include dental overcrowding or impaction, partial eruption, cysts and pain.

Dental treatment may be required to prevent malocclusion, bite or jaw disorders and infection.

Problems with wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth impaction occurs when the wisdom teeth grow sideways, pushing neighbouring teeth out of position. A dentist may recommend wisdom teeth extraction if the impaction, whether complete or partial, is causing malocclusion or cysts and infection.

The danger in leaving wisdom teeth bony impaction untreated is tooth decay, jawbone damage or pericoronitis. Pericoronitis is infection of the gum tissue pocket over the partially erupted wisdom tooth. Wisdom tooth extraction is generally required in such cases.

Removing a wisdom tooth

The procedure for wisdom tooth removal includes administration of a local or general anaesthetic for pain-free extraction. The sedation not only numbs the treatment site, but reduces anxiety about the procedure. Once extracted, gauze may be placed over the pocket to stem bleeding and to promote blood clotting.

Aftercare advice is provided for recovery after wisdom tooth extraction, particularly to prevent dry socket where the blood the clots within the pocket bursts and causes pain. Antibiotics may be provided to prevent infection, and painkillers to relieve any post-operative discomfort.

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What to do in a Dental Emergency!

Friday, April 22nd, 2016

Accidents happen and for that very reason, it is crucial that you do call a dentist! What to do immediately following an accident, however, is equally crucial. One natural reaction is to panic, but this possibly the worst thing you can do. Here, we will talk through a couple of things to keep in mind in a dental emergency. Knowing these points, you won’t need to panic.

What if my tooth is knocked out?

Firstly, can you find the tooth? If it has come cleanly out of the socket, it is possible that it could be re-inserted. If you do have it, hold it by the crown (avoiding the tooth’s root) and gently rinse it under a water tap. Then you can attempt to re-insert the tooth into its socket. If it won’t fit, either put it in a container filled with milk or place the tooth against the inside of your cheek. If you’ve lost the tooth, do not worry. We have a myriad of tooth replacement options available for you.

What if I fracture my tooth?

If it is fractured, it is likely the original tooth will be unsalvageable. You can, however, prevent your situation from getting worse by cleaning your mouth with warm water and if any swelling has occurred, using a cold compress on your mouth and cheeks. It is imperative in this situation that you visit a dentist as soon as possible.

I’ve badly bitten my tongue and lip!

It may sound trivial, but it’s not! If the bleeding will not stop, swiftly head to your local emergency room for stitches. Rinsing your mouth with warm water and the use of a cold compress can help curb swelling.

Very painful toothache…

Toothache mostly arises from dental infection. Good oral hygiene is one way to combat infection, but, if after washing and flossing you see no improvement, you may want to book an emergency appointment. The same goes if the pain worsens. One final warning: NEVER rest painkillers on your gums or teeth, otherwise you risk damaging your gums.

Call us

In all instances, we are here to help and to advise. If you have any dental concerns, call us at City Dental Leeds.

Tags: Dental emergency City of Leeds, Dental emergency Leeds, Dental Sports injury, Emergency dentistry Central Leeds
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Wonderful White Fillings!

Wednesday, April 6th, 2016

The best course of action to treat a cavity is usually to fill the tooth. We offer durable, aesthetically pleasing white fillings to strengthen and protect your teeth, without impacting on the look of your smile. We are able to fit new white fillings, as well as replacements for mercury amalgam fillings.

The benefits of white fillings

White fillings offer a range of benefits for patients who want to replace old fillings, as well as those who need a new one. Fillings help to protect decayed teeth from further damage and they also make the teeth stronger once they have been weakened by a cavity. Cavities are holes that form as a result of the enamel layer of the tooth being penetrated by harmful bacteria. Once a cavity forms it will grow in size, the tooth will get weaker and the risk of infection spreading through the tooth will increase.

White fillings are mainly made from dental composite, which is strong and durable yet also discreet, as it matches the shade of your teeth. Composite fillings last for many years and they are better for the environment and safer than traditional mercury fillings. Although mercury amalgam fillings are approved for use in the UK, many patients have concerns over their safety and we are proud to offer mercury-free treatment.

How is a filling placed?

If you need a filling, you will undergo a simple procedure that involves cleaning the cavity and then filling it with composite. The tooth will be numbed first to ensure you don’t feel any pain and the cavity will be cleared and cleaned thoroughly. The composite will then be put into the cavity and your dentist will spread it through the cavity to ensure that it is full. Once the cavity has been filled, it will be set firm with the use of a curing light. The light does not hurt at all and the process takes only a few seconds. Once the filling has had chance to harden, we will trim it to make sure it looks and feels perfect and then the procedure is complete.

Tags: dental fillings, Dental fillings City of Leeds, white fillings Central Leeds, White Fillings in Leeds
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Keep Your Smile White with Composite Fillings

Thursday, March 10th, 2016

Just because you need a filling, it doesn’t mean that the look of your smile has to change. We offer white fillings to restore your teeth and preserve your beautiful white smile. You may be advised to have a filling if you have a hole (cavity) in your tooth.

What are white fillings?

White fillings are made from dental composite combined with resins. They are called white fillings because the composite is white in colour. There are various shades of dental composite available and your dentist will match the closest shade of composite to your natural tooth for the best aesthetics.

Before white fillings became popular, most people had silver amalgam fillings, which are highly visible when you open your mouth. Amalgam fillings have served a purpose for decades and they are very strong, but white fillings are considered a safer option and are much more aesthetically pleasing.

What happens when you have a white filling?

White fillings help to make the teeth stronger and more resistant to injury without compromising the aesthetic of the smile. Before your tooth is filled, it will be numbed using local anaesthetic to ensure that you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. Your dentist will remove any decayed tissue from the cavity and clean the tooth thoroughly and then start to layer the composite inside the cavity. Often, a series of layers are used to create a more natural look. Once your dentist is happy with the filling, they will shine a curing light onto the cavity to set the composite firm. The process of setting the composite is very quick, lasting just six seconds. We will ask you to wear a set of protective glasses at this stage. Once the filling is finished, you will be able to use the tooth like any other tooth. You can eat and drink normally and you shouldn’t feel any discomfort.

Tags: composite fillings, tooth coloured fillings, White Fillings in Leeds, White fillings Leeds
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New and Discreet Fillings for Patients in Leeds

Monday, January 18th, 2016

If you’ve ever heard the dreaded words from the dentist that you need a filling, you’ve probably done the same thing as most people: fret and sigh at the thought of having a grey chunk sat between your teeth, reminding you of your visit.

However, at City Dental Leeds, the days of this experience could be over as they offer discreet white fillings.

White fillings

White fillings have become extremely popular in recent years for a number of reasons, such as being more aesthetically pleasing than the traditional amalgam filling and for a number of environmental reasons.

Although like many other dental procedures, there are various options when it comes to white fillings, that all depend on the size and location of the cavity.

Firstly there’s the white filling made of dental composite that look natural and can be fitted in one appointment. These fillings can be used on both the front and the back teeth, with some designed for the back teeth being made to withstand great force to help when eating, and they come in different shades in order to blend well with your other teeth.

There is also a composite or porcelain inlay white filling, which is usually used for larger fillings as they are much more durable than the normal composite. These are also used for aesthetic purposes, but do require two appointments, as the inlays have to be manufactured in a lab.

How the procedure works

These fillings are bonded to the teeth and once this is done an intensive light is used to help harden the filling, which takes less than a minute. The best thing is – you can eat as soon as it’s finished as the filling will be set straight away.

So next time you need a filling, enquire about white fillings so you don’t have to see grey next time you open your mouth!

Tags: Dental fillings City of Leeds, Fillings Leeds, white fillings Central Leeds, White fillings Leeds
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New Year, New Smile! Restorative Dentistry for Patients in Leeds

Monday, January 4th, 2016

The phrase “restorative dentistry” covers a whole range of treatments for various conditions, including missing or damaged teeth and even the treatment of damaged bone tissue. Often, these repairs are carried out for cosmetic reasons, so that the patient no longer feels embarrassed or ashamed of the gaps in their smile, but often these dental problems can have more serious implications for a person’s oral or even general health.

There are three types of restorative dentistry: prosthodontics, endodontics and periodontics. Each offers the patient help for whatever oral health problems they are suffering.

Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics are probably the most common type of restorative dental treatment, as this group includes fillings to repair the damage done by tooth decay and to prevent the tooth from having to be removed. Other types of this treatment include veneers, crowns and bridges, which are considered more of a cosmetic treatment.

Endodontics

Endodontics refers to problems inside the tooth, so serious problems with the tissue that make up the inner parts of the teeth rather than the surface enamel. Probably the most well known treatment that is part of the endodontics group is root canal treatment, in which damaged or diseased tissue from inside the tooth is removed and then filled again with a suitable synthetic material. Untreated root canal problems can be very painful, so patients are usually very keen to get their condition treated!

Periodontics

Periodontic specialists treat problems with your gums, including the common condition gingivitis or gum disease. This is an uncomfortable condition that can also have serious complications for the health of your teeth, so it’s important that you ask for help if you are suffering any of the symptoms of gingivitis, like bleeding gums. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, which shows you just how important it is not to put off treatment, as by the time you seek help it could be too late to save your teeth.

Why you should have a regular check-up

It is important for patients to attend their check-ups regularly and seek help if they are even the slightest bit worried about any symptoms. Restorative dentistry is much more effective if the condition can be treated as early as possible, plus there is always the risk that you might lose teeth or have to have them extracted if you don’t get treated quickly enough!

Tags: endodontics, Periodontal cleaning Leeds, restorative dentistry Leeds, white fillings Central Leeds
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Easing the Pain of Dry Socket in Leeds

Thursday, October 29th, 2015

Leeds dentists solve dry socket problems

Having a tooth extracted can unfortunately lead to some problems. In roughly five percent of cases a condition called dry socket can develop. This painful affliction affecting exposed bone is easily treated by your Leeds dentist, who will be able to identify the problem if it occurs after an extraction.

Dry socket can strike about two days after a tooth has been extracted. Tooth removal always leaves the area a little sore but dry socket is noticeable because of the extra pain. If blood does not clot properly in the area left exposed by the extraction then the bone can react badly to contact with air, food and drink. Clotting is your body’s natural procedure to protect wounds but sometimes the clot can become dislodged or fail to form at all.

There are several steps you can take to guard against dry socket. If you are a smoker, it is important that you cease during the period immediately after a tooth extraction. Smoking can disturb the blood clot and slow down the healing process. Any activity involving excessive sucking can bring about dry socket so you are advised not to drink through a straw during recuperation. The birth control pill can also bring about dry socket because it affect your body’s ability to clot.

Looking for a cosmetic dentist? City of Leeds dentists are here to help

Your City Dental Leeds dentist will be able to advise you about how to avoid dry socket but if it should occur it is easily rectified by applying medication at the site. Continuation of your regular oral hygiene routine and being careful about how you treat your mouth in the aftermath of having a tooth extracted will, in most cases, prevent dry socket.

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Emergency Procedures That Can Help You

Monday, October 19th, 2015

In the case of a dental emergency swift, appropriate action is the best way to respond. The American Dental Association recommends that you take the following action if a dental emergency strikes:

If a tooth is knocked out, rinse it with water and gently re-embed it. Do not scrub or remove any attached tissue fragments and always hold the tooth by the crown. Time is precious in the case of a knocked out tooth because minute by minute more root cells die. Go straight to the dentist or A & E to save your tooth.

If you break or chip a tooth, swill your mouth with warm water and hold a cold compress to the face to reduce swelling before seeing your dentist.

Treat a bitten tongue or lip by gently cleaning with a cloth and apply a cold compress to the swelling. If bleeding is heavy or doesn’t stop, see your dentist or go to A and E.

If you have a persistent, painful toothache then rinse your mouth with warm water and gently floss around the tooth to remove any food that may be trapped around it. Take a painkiller and see your dentist.

For a jaw injury or fracture hold a cold compress to the face and go straight to your dentist or A & E department.

If your brace suddenly breaks or wires are sticking into your mouth and gums, cover with gauze and go straight to your dentist.

If a dental emergency strikes while you are travelling, check the yellow pages under ‘dentist’.

If a crown or filling comes out, use sugar free chewing gum to cement it back in place and go straight to your dentist or A and E department.

Emergency procedures used by dentists

Sometimes your dentist may ask you how you want your dental emergency to be treated unless there is a serious risk of infection.

For a knocked out tooth your dentist will re-implant it. Failure to have your tooth professionally reimplanted within the first 30 minutes to 2 hours of the tooth falling out may result in root canal treatment, veneers or dentures.

Permanently lost teeth will be replaced by dentists. Failure to have lost teeth replaced may result in damage to your speech and ability to chew. Nowadays dental implants are used which provide stable support for artificial teeth.

For a chipped or cracked tooth your dentist will consult you on how you want it to be corrected. Veneers, crowns and fillings are all common procedures and you won’t be able to tell the difference!

Tags: Dental emergency Central Leeds, Dental emergency City of Leeds, emergency dental treatment Leeds, Emergency dentistry Leeds
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Restorative Treatment to the Rescue!

Friday, October 9th, 2015

As we walk through life experiencing a high quantity of events that might test us mentally and physically, these predicaments become troublesome at times. What to do in a particular situation might prove to be horrifically difficult. However, when it comes to a dental predicament that is not at all desirable, it could cause further issues if not treated in time. If the issues are really serious, then restorative treatment is often required.

Restorative treatment is simply what it says – forms of treatment that can help the patient achieve the fantastic smile they once had. There are various types of dental procedures in this category.

Implants

Used to substitute the natural tooth with a singular or several teeth, the roots to the dental implant are synthetic with a replacement crown placed on top. If correctly looked after, dental implants can last for the rest of the patient’s’ life.

Full mouth reconstruction

For patients who need several forms of treatment in order to resolve their dental issues, diagnosing the teeth properly will allow for the dentist to fully determine what exact treatment is required. These steps are then relayed to the patient so they know precisely what is going to happen.

Bridges

During the patient’s first appointment, the gap is filled by a crown which allows for the dentist to gain a physical impression of what bridge the patient requires. On the second visit, a dental bridge is then fused to the patient’s natural teeth so a complete smile is created for them. In between these appointments, a temporary bridge will be worn by the patient.

Tags: Dental Bridges Central Leeds, Dental Implants in Leeds, full mouth reconstruction, restorative dentistry Leeds
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